Les Miserables storms back to Perth

Les Miserables storms back to Perth - The West Australian

Epic stage musical Les Miserables is set to storm the barricades in Perth again early next year with the first full Australian production in 15 years.

The new show, which opened in Melbourne last night, will be staged at Crown Theatre from January 13 as the next stop of its national tour.

Almost 30 years after its London premiere, Les Mis has been given a major makeover, with new orchestration, a clearer narrative and fresh stage design based on the paintings of Les Miserables novelist Victor Hugo.

Producer Sir Cameron Mackintosh told _The West Australian _yesterday the latest version, stacked with performers from the WA Academy of Performing Arts, would appeal to a new generation of audiences.

"I am so thrilled with this new Australian production of Les Miserables and even more so now that we can confirm the show will travel to Perth after a six-month season in Melbourne," Sir Cameron said. He said Les Miserables was a timeless tale of courage, justice and redemption.

WAAPA graduate Simon Gleeson and National Institute of Dramatic Art-trained Hayden Tee play the persecuted hero Jean Valjean and his obsessive police pursuer Javert, the roles inhabited by Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe in the 2012 film.

Les Miserables tickets go on sale today for Visa customers and to the general public through Ticketek on July 14.